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Can US citizens apply for a Non-immigrant OA visa while in Thailand?

Non-Immigrant OA VisaThai Visa RulesVisa Application ProcessUS Citizens in ThailandRetirement VisaConversion of Visa TypesThai Immigration Policy
Mar 8, 2022
3 years ago
Gee ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can US Citizens apply for a Non-immigrant OA visa while in Thailand? I can't find information on the Thai Immigration site. TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
No, US citizens cannot apply for a Non-immigrant OA visa while in Thailand; it must be obtained outside Thailand. However, they can apply for a Non-O visa based on retirement while in the country, provided they meet specific requirements like maintaining a minimum balance in a Thai bank account.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Zap **********
Where are you in Thailand? And what is the purpose of Non O (it's non O when you apply in Thailand)? If you are visa exempt or tourist visa you can convert to non O. In Phuket you must do so with min. 21 days left on stamp. Think it may be less in other regions. Must have 800,000 in Thai bank at time of application. This is a 90 day then when 30 remaining must apply for retirement extension (if that's purpose of Non O) money must sit for this time and this level maintained for certain time periods at start and when renewing. Send me message if you want more details. Age 50+ for retirement.
3 years ago
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Daniel ************
no cannot -
3 years ago
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Transitvan ******
I can not find information for living long time without paying 1900 baht visa price.
3 years ago
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Michael ********
No
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
No, Non-OA can only be obtained outside Thailand and in your home country or country of legal residence.

You can apply for the Non-O based on retirement inside Thailand.
3 years ago
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Gee ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Here’s another mix. My Non OA may get completed after I arrive in Thailand. I may have it mailed to me. Since I’m already entered in Thailand but applied while in the US how does that work?
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
Gary All visas are electronic, if your OA is issued while you're in Thailand your only option is to leave the country and reenter.
3 years ago
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Gee ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 I can live with that. As long as I can use my Visa that’s great
3 years ago
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Gee ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 So they don’t require the passport to be mailed to them? At least that’s what it says on the Embassy site. I’m hoping that is no longer true and all is electronic as you say
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Gary ********
 Which embassy
3 years ago
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Gee ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 Los Angeles California
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Ga**
 Yes all the Thai embassies in the US are electronic. Their informational pages are soarly outdated.
3 years ago
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Gee ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 Fantastic news!!! Their phone recording had old Covid restrictions for Thailand too.
3 years ago
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Gee ******
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Gee ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Looks like the O visa is only good for 90 days. OA is more convenient not having to extend every 90 days
3 years ago
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Kool *******
@Gary ********
 that is not exactly true. Your initial type O based on retirement is 90 days, giving you time to get your bt800,000 seasoned for the two months in your own bank account before you apply for your one year extension, at which point you no longer have to leave Thailand as long as you keep extending it. Also, there is no health insurance required with the type O based on retirement. You can also extend the type OA inside Thailand, but including the bt800,000 financial requirement you'll also need health insurance, or you must leave Thailand and then re-enter.
3 years ago
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Gee ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 Excellent clarification. Even the Thai Embassy site does not mention the extension capability. Very lacking of information
3 years ago
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Scott ******
@Kool ******
 is there a way around the age of 50 for a retirement visa? I turn 49 beginning of April. Have a good monthly income for several pensions and can easily put 800 000 in my Thai bank account.
3 years ago
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Kool *******
@Scott *****
 there is no way you can get a retirement visa before age 50. Part of the documents is a copy of your passport data page, and your age is checked a number of times. You also sign the copy basically verifying that it is a correct copy. You'd get in serious trouble with a fake, or altered, passport.
3 years ago
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Scott ******
@Kool ******
 wasn’t thinking of doing that. Just seems odd to make it age dependent.
3 years ago
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Kool *******
@Scott *****
 is it also odd to make Canadian pensions age dependent, that you can't start claiming CPP benefits until at least age 60. Why would a set minimum retirement age be any different here?
3 years ago
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Scott ******
@Kool ******
 I’ve been retired for a few years now. Maybe you can’t retire early. Then again maybe you aren’t an injured war Veteran. You are one of those that think everyone has to follow the same rules? What does CPP have to do with me? I’ll never collect it even though I paid it since I was 14. Yes it’s odd. I’m retired. I’m not asking for anything from Thailand. I’m enriching their country.
3 years ago
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Kool *******
@Scott *****
 when it comes to the age needed to qualify for a retirement visa in Thailand, everyone is treated the same, no matter what their financials, or disability. Just because it doesn't fit your needs doesn't mean it should be changed.
3 years ago
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Scott ******
@Kool ******
 I’m glad that senseless things make sense to you. I’m not interested though thanks. I don’t speak troll.
3 years ago
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Kool *******
@Scott *****
 no, you just think you're special and think the rules everyone else must follow should be changed just for you...lolol.
3 years ago
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Scott ******
@Kool ******
 You are the one that is obviously special.
3 years ago
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Scott ******
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Dickie ********
@Gary ********
 wrong . only 90 days once then you convert it to a year visa. 15 months all up.
3 years ago
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Dickie ********
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Gee ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 Thanks for that clarification. It looks like one of the main differences is I'd have to have 800kthb in a Thai bank vs in overseas account. Any other differences?
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
Gary Fuchita Yeah, so the initial Non-O is 90 days, then you apply for a 1 year extension. Non-O requires money in a Thai bank but doesn't require health insurance, Non-OA requires health insurance.
3 years ago
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Brook ********
@Garrett **********
 This is actually the preferable Visa scheme to stay in Thailand for those over 50.

You can still have health insurance, but you are not required to (yet). You can choose any insurance company (or international health insurance) and you are not limited to one of the 14 approved thai health insurance companies and their potential exclusions and denials.

Getting the OA from the thai embassy before coming precludes this more desirable method.
3 years ago
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Gee ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brook *******
 I need health insurance anyway. And the Thai bank requirement is now 1.2M thb. That’s quite a bit. I might have to wait for approval.

And now I heard after approval we have to mail our passport to the Embassy and wait for its return. Is that correct ? That’s another couple weeks of delay.
3 years ago
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Brook ********
@Gary ********
 Don’t make the same mistake I did.

Do not apply for your retirement visa outside of Thailand.

I understand that you want to be covered by health insurance anyway, buts it’s much better to be able to choose health insurance providers from every company in any country than be limited to the 14 approved thai insurance companies and their incredibly restrictive approval criteria.

There is NO BENEFIT to applying before you come and many disadvantages.
3 years ago
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Steve *******
@Brook *******
 Much easier to get the Non Imm O visa before you come. There are NO disadvantages to applying in your home Country. It will save you paperwork and one if not two trips to an Immigration Office
3 years ago
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Brook ********
@Steve ******
 I disagree.

Mandatory health insurance from a limited number of highly restrictive Thai companies being the main disadvantage.
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Br***
 Non-O doesn't require health insurance, outside or inside Thailand.
3 years ago
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Gee ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brook *******
 So to confirm. Applying IN Thailand is the Non O. Requires 1.2Thb in a Thai bank.

Applying while in the US is the Non OA and requires verifying 800kthb in an American bank. No need to show money in a Thai bank. Correct?
3 years ago
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Gee ******
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